Forbidden City

故宫

The largest palace complex in the world and former home of Chinese emperors, spanning nearly 1,000 buildings across 72 hectares. A UNESCO World Heritage site essential for understanding imperial Chinese history and architecture.

Things to do

• Hall of Supreme Harmony Tour — Marvel at the largest building in the complex where emperors held grand ceremonies, featuring intricate dragon decorations and gilded thrones.
• Forbidden City Garden Exploration — Wander the Imperial Garden at the palace's north end with pavilions, rockeries, and ancient cypress trees offering peaceful retreat from crowded halls.
• Treasury & Jewelry Exhibition — Browse the Palace of Heavenly Purity's displays of imperial seals, jade carvings, and precious artifacts revealing the emperor's personal collection.
• Ceramics & Porcelain Halls — Examine the intricate blue-and-white Ming and Qing dynasty porcelain housed in dedicated museum galleries throughout the eastern palace complexes.
• Clock Exhibition in Kunning Palace — View elaborate mechanical timepieces gifted from European craftsmen, showcasing the blend of Western and Chinese imperial tastes.
• Calligraphy & Painting Galleries — Study imperial brushwork and landscape paintings displayed in the Hall of Clocks and seasonal exhibition spaces.
• Nine Dragon Screen Walk — Photograph the stunning glazed tile dragon relief screen at the palace's north gate, one of only three surviving examples in China.

Food to try

• Imperial Court Cuisine Restaurants — Dine on reconstructed Qing dynasty recipes served in restaurants near the Forbidden City, featuring dishes once enjoyed by emperors like beggar's chicken and bird's nest soup.
• Duck at Peking Duck Restaurants — Sample the signature Beijing Peking duck preparation at established restaurants within walking distance of the palace, sliced tableside and wrapped in thin pancakes.
• Dim Sum in Jingshan Park Teahouses — Enjoy traditional Cantonese-style dumplings and tea in teahouses overlooking the Forbidden City from the adjacent hillside park.
• Sweet Osmanthus Cake (桂花糕) — Purchase this delicate flower-infused pastry from street vendors and gift shops around the palace entrance, a traditional Beijing imperial snack.
• Eight Treasure Rice (八宝饭) — Try this sticky rice dessert filled with dried fruits and lotus paste at nearby imperial cuisine restaurants, historically served at court celebrations.

Local customs & good to know

• Arrive Early to Beat Crowds — Visit shortly after the 8:30 AM opening to experience the vast complex with fewer tourists, as peak hours between 10 AM and 3 PM become extremely congested.
• Respect Photography Restrictions — Note that photography is forbidden in certain halls like the Treasure Exhibitions; observe signs carefully and do not use flash where permitted to preserve artifacts.
• Wear Comfortable Shoes for Full Exploration — The palace spans 72 hectares with uneven cobblestone paths and numerous stairs; plan 4-6 hours walking time and bring water to stay hydrated.
• Learn Basic Directional Concepts — Understand that the complex is organized along a central north-south axis reflecting feng shui principles; picking up a detailed map helps navigate the symmetrical palace design efficiently.